Special Chief Secretary of Medical and Health in Andhra Pradesh KS Jawhar Reddy said 1.66 per cent samples have been tested positive out of the total 61,266 tests conducted in the state.

Reddy said the percentage is way less than the country's average (4.23 per cent) when compared to other states like Maharashtra (7.16 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (7 per cent).

As the novel coronavirus cases are on the rise in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has recruited 1,170 medical staff solely for Covid-19 cases and deployed them to the various districts based on the severity of the pandemic situation.

"As many as 22,600 people including NCC, NSS, Pharmacists, the general public have come forward and registered for the voluntary services. We are extremely overwhelmed and thankful for this huge response from the public," Reddy.

In case of treatment for Covid-19 patients, Reddy said that health authorities will use nearly 1,900 pulse oximeters in all Covid hospitals to help in monitoring the oxygen levels of the patients.

"People who are experiencing breathlessness or short-of-breath are advised to seek medical help by calling 104 helpline and the samples will be taken at the doorstep. With early detection, fatalities can be reduced," said Reddy.

Andhra Pradesh government is primarily focusing on extensive testing, and average of 1147 tests per million people are being conducted, Reddy said.

"In the last 24 hours, Srikakulam district has also joined the Covid-19 tally with three new cases in the district from a Delhi returnee," Jawahar Reddy said after the virus spread covered 12 out of 13 district of the state.

With new cases, the total number of clusters in Andhra Pradesh increased to 196.

On Saturday, Andhra Pradesh recorded 61 positive cases taking the total number of cases to 1,016.

Kurnool district remains the worse-affected in the state with 275 cases, followed by 209 cases in Guntur and 127 cases in Krishan.

The Andhra government on Saturday tested total 6,928 samples resulting into 61 positive cases.